Soundtrack-catcher in the rye

This was a part of my book project (done with Alyse). I enjoyed this part the most because I enjoy really anything involved in music. It was fun and interesting to try and see either what type of music Holden would have liked, or what type would have narrated the story well. One band that had a lot of music that he would probably have liked is "Say Anything". I found this to be super interesting since I actually used to listen to them a lot, especially in my rebellious young teenager age. I would post our soundtrack, but I'm interested to see if anyone else comes up with the same thing. Does anyone have any interesting or unique songs they associate with the book??

I Am The Messenger - too religious?

After reading IATM, I really thought about some things in the book. It was probably one of the most religious books I had read in school, and I didn't really know how I felt about it. I really liked the book, and the plot was pretty interesting, but when it started getting involved in religion I felt a little unsure. Maybe it is because I am not a very religious person myself, but it seemed pretty off base when he started thinking of  himself as a saint. A lot of people are capable of doing good deeds for others, and just because he was getting directed to by someone in the mail doesn't mean he is being led by some higher power. I don't know about the rest of my group, but I would of liked it a little better if that part would have been left out. Any thoughts?

College Lit as a whole

Going into this class, I didn't really know what to expect. I knew it was a college reading level, and we would be reading classic novels, but I didn't expect to get so deep into them. We really analyzed the books more than I thought we would, and had some great discussions as well. Even though we all didn't always agree with each other, it was an awesome learning experience hearing all of the different opinions. I know this class will be of value to me, probably more than a lot of other classes the high school offered. I think of myself as a more developed reader now, and I will take that skill to college. My favorite memory was probably when Alyse brought me in the private party for my graduation : ). Anyone else want to share their favorite memories, class related or not?

Persepolis Reflection

An element that interested me the most was reading a memoir instead of a fiction novel. It was much more meaningful this way, and hit me more emotionally. It's interesting to see the war and revolutions through her eyes, especially because she writes it as a child. It's also interesting that she writes in a child's voice, instead of reflecting more as an adult. It really breaks it down easier to understand, and makes you feel like you're a child in the same situation.

As for enjoying the reading experience, I'm kind of torn on my opinion. It is a wonderful plot line, and has great voice and characters. I think I may be torn because of the fact that this is the first graphic novel I have read. I've never experienced reading like this, and it's something that people need to get used to. I would much rather prefer reading a novel and imagining things myself, instead of having the images drawn out for me. Maybe if I read more novels like this, I will appreciate them more.

I do recommend highly that you keep this in the curriculum. It is a great learning experience, especially for kids who don't broaden their reading perspectives. It definitely gave me a new look on graphic novels, and I would tell anyone who was thinking about it to at least give it a try.

Jane Eyre reflections

 As for the novel as a whole, there were ups and downs. I believe that as for America's perception of teenagers, they had it spot on. Jane believed her life was miserable, and in the end her prince charming came and saved her from it. Also, I like how many motifs there were. It made the book very interesting, and it especially made it much easier to analyze and annotate. This is a skill I didn't have much practice with, and I know I will be having to use it more once I get to college. As well as motifs, there was a lot that just generally happened. Her life as a young woman was very interesting, and there wasn't really a time when I was bored. As for what didn't work, I didn't like how dramatic everything was. I understand that teenagers are usually over dramatic, but I think Bronte took it a little too far. I would say that they should be less descriptive, but that was definitely an important motif. I don't necessarily think there needs to be any changes, I just think I didn't like some parts as much as others. I believe this book should be taught. It does teach some very good values, like pursuing your dreams and being independent, and it's also good to read a novel from a very different time period. As for last thoughts, I believe the St. John thing went wayyy too far. Also, way too many coincidences!

Too many coinicidences??

Alright, after finishing the Jane Eyre novel this weekend, I was a little upset with some things. It seemed to me, after Jane had been having such a rough life, there were just too many coincidences. What are the odds, that after almost "starving to death" (dramatic, by the way), she happens to come across such nice strangers? And, even after that was a little strange, they end up being her relatives? Jane had gone her whole life thinking she had no family at all, and she just happens to run into three cousins? Seems a little strange if you as me.

Also, her uncle dies. This is pretty sad, since it was another family member she never got to meet. Even though they never met, her uncle leaves his remaining fortunes to only Jane. What? Are you serious Bronte?? That is just too good to be true! It seems like while writing this novel there were some things thrown in their just for a dramatic affect, more than a realistic one. Anyone else agree? Or am I being over analytic? 

Banned Books

After reading Catcher in the Rye, which was an excellent novel, we talked a little in class about banned books. I knew that this one was high up on the list, so I decided to check it out. Astonishing things have happend to teachers just for trying to teach the book to their classes. According to TIME magazine, a teacher in Tulsa, Okla. got fired just for simply trying to analyze the text to her students. Another school in Ohio claimed the novel was "anti-white" (you've got to be kidding me..). After numerous bans around the globe, a quote of Salinger's was thought about. He once said "

Some of my best friends are children. In fact, all my best friends are children. It's almost unbearable for me to realize that my book will be kept on a shelf out of their reach." The climax of hate for the book was when John Lennon's assassin's only explanation for murdering him was that book. I don't know about you, but I think that this book was just an outlet for blame. Just because it's different and vulgar doesn't mean it's the only book out there like that. What do you think? Do you think anyone was justified for banning this piece of literature?